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Your Observer

Superintendent Rick Mills leans in to talk with a student at Freedom Elementary.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: First Day of School at Freedom

Superintendent Rick Mills greeted families at Freedom Elementary School today.

  • East County
  • News
Avery Brum with Ashley and Ella Emmett
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • August 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY:First day of school at Phillippi Shores Elementary

Students start the first day of classes Monday, Aug. 18, at Phillippi Shores Elementary School.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sophia Potillo and Camryn Kolbe become friends right away on the first day.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: First day of school at Braden River Elementary

Braden River Elementary students hugged their teary-eyed parents goodbye and settled into their new classrooms, where new friends and teachers greeted them on the first day of school, Aug. 18.

  • East County
  • News
Alex Everson, Veronica Folian and Alyssa McManus
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • August 17, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: St. Boniface Ice Cream Social

St. Boniface's Youth Group held an ice cream social for families Sunday, Aug. 17, in Siesta Key Village. The event marked the end of the summer and invited families to enjoy ice cream in the village's gazebo. "It's a nice way to kick of the school year," says Alex Everson, Youth Group director.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Clockwise from left: Steve McHugh, Marie Maxwell, Amy Urban and Tori Maxwell came out to the winery for the first time.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 17, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Fiorelli Winery Harvest Festival

Rosa Fiorelli's Winery and Vineyard welcomed the public to help stomp out cancer during the vineyard's August Harvest Festival Aug. 16 and Aug. 17. The event raised money for the American Cancer Society.

  • East County
  • News
Guests enjoyed samplings of more than 50 beers from around the world at Morton’s Market Celebration of Brewing.
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • August 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Morton's Market Celebration of Brewing

Guests enjoyed samples of more than 50 beers at Morton's Market Celebration of Brewing Saturday, Aug. 16, at Morton's Gourmet Market.

  • Arts + Culture
Roni and Emily Duthie, MaryElizabeth Ameal and Brooke Wasserman
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • August 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: School of Russian Ballet Grand Opening

The School of Russian Ballet moved locations and held its grand opening ceremony Saturday, Aug. 16, at School of Russian Ballet.

  • Arts + Culture
Liz Bentze, Isabella Bartels and Crystal Galbraith love spending time together.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: YMCA Summer Blast Camp

About 200 campers enjoyed the last week of the Lakewood Ranch branch's YMCA Summer Blast Camp Aug. 11 through Aug. 15.

  • East County
  • News
Judi Balot completes a bridge.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Jump Dance Co. Camp

Campers at Jump Dance Co. finished a summers' worth of dance camps with a talent show Aug. 15.

  • East County
  • News
Sue and Burt Borgelt with Barbara Grimes
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • August 15, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Christ Church Summer Barbecue

Christ Church held its annual end of summer barbecue dinner Friday, Aug. 15, in the fellowship hall at Christ Church.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This week's FYI Friday features news about a 'sexy' distinction for Sarasota, another beach plane crash and more Colony drama!
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • August 15, 2014
FYI Friday - Your weekly news roundup

Catch up on the week's most important and most interesting news stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County with FYI Friday.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort closed in August 2010.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 15, 2014
Colony Lender demands $5.1 million from Colony owners

Attorney David Siegal wrote in a letter that unit owners are liable for unpaid rent and real estate taxes of more than $5.1 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Charles, Sol and Frank Carson
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • August 15, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Sol Carson celebrates 100th birthday

Sarasota resident Sol Carson celebrated his 100th birthday Friday, Aug. 15, at the Jewish Family and Children's Services of Sarasota, Inc. The birthday party included a cake, singing and family. Carson, a South Philadelphia native, lives in Sarasota with his son, Charles. He served in the Army Air Force in World War II and has been part of the JFCS Senior Outreach Services Program for eight years. While eating his chocolate cake, one of his favorite flavors, Carson shared his secret to living so long: "Live life fully."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Featured speaker Congressman Vern Buchanan and Sarasota Kiwanis Club president John Moore
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • August 15, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Kiwanis Club Meeting

U.S. Congressman Vern Buchanan spoke at Sarasota Kiwanis Club's meeting Friday, Aug. 15, at Florida Studio Theatre.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Fire-Rescue trucks begin practice drill Friday outside the former Longboat Key Hilton.
  • By Caleb Motsinger
  • August 15, 2014
Longboat Key Fire Department conducts drills at former Hilton

Eleven firefighters trained at property Friday prior to sites demolition.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Storm clouds loom over Lakewood Ranch Main Street Friday morning.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 15, 2014
Weekend forecasts shows rain

The National Weather Service reports a 30% chance of scattered thunderstorms throughout the weekend and early next week in the Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
The CSAB advises and makes recommendations to the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners regarding priorities and expenditures of the County's dedicated millage for children’s services.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 15, 2014
Manatee County accepts Children's Services Board applications

Manatee County is accepting applications to fill three seats on the Children's Services Advisory Board.

  • East County
  • News
Gabriella Ramirez, Luz Barrero and Marthin Ramirez snack on ice cream.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 15, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Tara Elementary Ice Cream Social

Tara Elementary students and their families indulged in ice cream covered in candy toppings and other delectables Aug. 14 at the school's Ice Cream Social. Students also visited their future classrooms, sat at their new desks and met with teachers.

  • East County
  • News
Scott Sebor was found running barefoot in the area near the Papa John's he allegedly robbed. He told deputies he was running barefoot because he was a "Florida boy."
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • August 15, 2014
'Florida boy' arrested for Papa John's robbery

Scott Sebor, 44, turned himself into the Sarasota County Jail after the Sheriff's Office put out a warrant for his arrest.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Husband and wife professionals Lock and Amanda Cleary network with new friends.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 15, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Manatee Young Professionals Monthly Social

Members of Manatee Young Professionals enjoyed drinks, dinner and making new contacts, Aug. 14, at MacAllisters Grill and Tavern, during the group's monthly social.

  • East County
  • News
County Commission candidate Lourdes Ramirez speaks with Loretta Friedman.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • August 14, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: League of Women Voters "Meet Your Candidates"

The League of Women Voters of Sarasota County held its second "Meet Your Candidates" Thursday, Aug. 14, at Selby Library. Attendees met with County Commission, School Board and Hospital Board candidates. The organization hosted a meet and greet in North Port last week for residents. "It puts a face on candidates," says attendee Gerry Swormstedt.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Members of the Sarasota Voice Academy with co-founders Randolph Locke and Carol Sparrow.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 14, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Rosedale Summer Music Series

Members of the Sarasota Voice Academy along with Randolph Locke and Carol Sparrow performed light Opera songs for attendees of the Rosedale Summer Music series, Aug. 14, in the community's clubhouse.

  • East County
  • News
"Sarasota blew away the competition with the first place ranking in hotels and nightlife."
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • August 14, 2014
Sarasota: the 'sexiest small city in America'

Real estate blog Movoto ranked Sarasota No. 1 on its list of the 10 'sexiest small cities in America,' which also includes Bradenton two spots below.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Mote Marine Laboratory senior scientist Carl Luer said the bonnethead shark is an efficient biomedical model.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • August 14, 2014
VIDEO: Mote scientist receives Distinguished Fellow award

The American Elasmobranch Society presented its Distinguished Fellow Award this month to Mote Marine Laboratory senior scientist Carl Luer, for his work studying the disease-fighting traits of sharks and rays.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
AJC West Coast Regional Director Brian Lipton with guest speaker Rabbi Noam Marans
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • August 14, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: AJC Summer Lunch and Learn Luncheon

The American Jewish Committee West Coast Region held its monthly Summer Lunch & Learn Series Thursday, Aug. 14, at Michael's On East. Rabbi Noam Marans, AJC director of Interreligious and Intergroup Relations, was guest speaker. Marans discussed the future of Muslim-Jewish relationships.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The meeting was held at the Manatee County Government commission chambers.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 14, 2014
Board recommends marina elimination

The Planning Commission has endorsed Lennar's plans to remove a marina from the Heritage Harbour development plan.

  • East County
  • News
Applications for Longboat Key's new retirement board of trustees are now available at Town Hall.
  • By Caleb Motsinger
  • August 14, 2014
Volunteers needed for new retirement board of trustees

Applications are now available for five open seats.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Diana Green talks about the School District's recent technology purchases for county classrooms.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 14, 2014
School Boards collaborate

The Charlotte, Sarasota and Manatee counties' School Boards met Aug. 13 at Polo Grill and Bar to share ideas on technology in the classroom and other relevant topics to today's students.

  • East County
  • Schools
Underwater robot Waldo was recovered by boat Aug. 13, following a mission that covered 140 miles and returned to Mote. (Mote Marine Laboratory)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 14, 2014
No red tide impacts detected alongshore

Mote, FWC and USF scientists continue to monitor a bloom at least 20 miles offshore from Dixie to northern Pinellas counties.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dani with her handler, Debra Cottrell, and Grace Daniels. Photo by Heather Merriman
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 14, 2014
Every dog has its day

Consulate Health Care of Sarasota's beloved service dog, Danielle, retires after providing five years of therapy to the residents and patients at Consulate.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jackie Fanara, Dr. Adam Bright, Jessica Miller and Nina Amaral. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 14, 2014
Run to Remember raises $13,000

Pines of Sarasota's 'Run to Remember' raised $13,000 for its Memory Care Unit.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Achim and Erika Ginsberg-Klemmt stand on the dock a Lawrence Pointe property owner built in 1994. The ownership of the dock, and of the land it sits on, has been questioned by the couple’s neighbors. Photo by David Conway
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 14, 2014
Couple fights zoning regulations

Achim and Erika Ginsberg-Klemmt have faced a litany of obstacles - and haven't backed down.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 14, 2014
Vertical Horizon

Five hotels stand poised to spring up throughout downtown Sarasota, as early as next fall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Siesta Key Village Association spoke at the Planning Commission meeting Thursday in support of the zoning code amendment to allow outdoor displays in the Village. Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 14, 2014
News Briefs

Displays in the Village one step closer to the outdoors; Judge dismisses Barfield Sunshine suit

  • Sarasota
  • News
John Chrzczonowski has worked for months to rediscover the history behind the broken sculpture on the Sarasota Garden Club's property. President Olivia Haynes says his work has been huge for the club. Photos by David Conway
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 14, 2014
VIDEO: Garden Club pieces history together

After discovering pieces of a statue dating back to 1939 on the Garden Club's property, the group is working to repair the sculpture.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Until the bollard is replaced, the county covered the crumbling stump in front of the Lobster Pot with a caution cone. Photos by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • August 14, 2014
Objects in Siesta Village are closer than they appear

Stationary objects in Siesta Key Village have taken a hit recently as drivers continuously knock over bollards, signs and other markers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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  • December 21, 2025
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Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
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